Chattanooga firefighters are mourning the loss of the most senior member of the department.
Captain George Turley, 58, collapsed Saturday while working out in the gym in the apparatus bay at Station 16.
Members of his crew found him unresponsive, called 9-1-1 and initiated CPR, the department announced on its Facebook page Monday afternoon.
He was rushed to the hospital where life-saving efforts continued, but he was later pronounced dead.
Officials wrote it's an unbelievably sad blow to the fire department.
"Captain Turley’s passion for the fire service and compassion for others has left a mark on many in our department. He truly cared about the job and he wanted it done right, making him a role model and strong leader in the CFD. He was a staple in the Hixson community who always went the extra mile to make school visits and station visits extra special for children," officials wrote.
Turley is survived by his wife, Debbie and their two sons.
Susan Nicol | News Editor
Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.
